_F_. Klux? Oh, no. That is a Missionary; and the blacks are not
Freedmen, as you suppose, but Cannibals. They are about to roast him.
You see the fire?

_D_. Oh, quite distinctly! look, father!--he is making a sign to them.
What does it mean?

_F_. [Looking.] It means that he has lost the use of his
tongue--probably from fright--but would like to write something.

_D_. Like so many other tongue-tied scribblers! Do they let him?

_F_. Oh, yes; they bring a board, and a piece of chalk.

_D_. How large is the piece?

_F_. The usual size. He is writing.

_D_. What does the poor fellow say?

_F_. He is laconic. He merely writes--

COOK ME RARE.

_D_. Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo!

_F_. Boo-hoo-hoo-too!

* * * * *